The Gainsborough Workhouse

This illustrated talk will focus on ‘Gainsborough’s Workhouse’ and is to be given by Nicholas Lawrie.

During the 19th Century the government amended Poor Law legislation in order to cut the amount of outdoor relief given to the poor for example, helping the poor with their rent, or other goods such as clothes or food. The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act made provision for a type of indoor relief which was known as the workhouse and was feared by the poor. Families would be split up and living in the workhouse would be like living in a prison. This talk will showcase the story of what life was like for the poor who lived in the area and the workhouse that once stood in the town of Gainsborough.

The cost of the talk is £4 and tea or coffee and biscuits will be available in the interval (donations welcome). For more information about this talk contact the Heritage Centre via email: [email protected] or ring: 01427 610526 or visit www.gainsboroughheritage.co.uk

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Gainsborough House

Gainsborough House Community Centre is surrounded by well-maintained gardens in an attractive town centre location, adjacent to the Parish Church and Gainsborough Old Hall. There is limited car parking for approximately six cars during the day and during the evening unrestricted road parking.

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